Miss Darcy's Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read Online Free Page B
Author: Joana Starnes
Lady Malvern shook her head at them in mock despair.
“Insolent, headstrong pups,” she affectionately chided. “I will never understand what possessed George Darcy to leave the likes of you in charge of Georgiana’s future.”
The cousins exchanged a glance, in silent understanding of the late Mr Darcy’s motives. He had never warmed to most of his wife’s relations, and had certainly not trusted Lord Malvern to act in Georgiana’s interest. He must have understood that, in his lordship’s eyes, enhancing the family’s status and fortunes took precedence over a young girl’s happiness – or anyone’s for that matter – and the same could be said of his eldest son. As for Lady Malvern, although he had held her in obvious affection, he must have seen the dangers of her too compliant nature. Lady Catherine had naturally been dismissed out of hand, he would never have left his dear girl in her stifling grasp. Which had really left him with only two choices of guardians for Georgiana. Yet Darcy dearly hoped it had not been just a process of elimination.
He was not about to share any such thoughts with Lady Malvern, and apparently neither was Fitzwilliam, who popped a couple of sweetmeats into his mouth, then retorted lightly:
“My uncle must have known that such a sweet-tempered child would turn out well regardless, and not even the pair of us could bungle her upbringing. Now, the dreaded moment is upon us, Darcy. My mother wishes to take Georgiana to the linen-drapers and, dutiful son that I am, I have offered to escort them. Pray show an ounce of cousinly affection and join us, I beg you. Do not abandon me to the deluge of jacquard and lace.”
CHAPTER 3
Dear Darcy,
I hope this finds you in good health and prosperity. I wish I could say the same for myself, but sadly we both know that no one could describe my current circumstances as anything but dire. My health is not much better at the moment either. I fear I have exerted myself overmuch in order to ensure that I honour some very pressing debts. Which brings me to the reason for my writing again. Strangely I have received no reply to my other letters, but perhaps they have gone astray.
I have learned a while ago that poor Mr Hodges had finally relinquished his earthly shell, as well as the living of Kympton. Since we last spoke on this subject life has taught me a very valuable lesson – namely that the study of the law is not only an unprofitable exercise, but also that the profession itself is soul-destroying.
I have understood at last the blessings of the profession your father had chosen for me in his wisdom, and I should have relied on his sterling judgement. I see now that nothing could compare to the satisfaction of guiding simple souls on the righteous path so, as the Kympton living has become vacant, I hope you would entrust it to my care. No one else can lay claim to it, through ties of either honour or affection, and I trust you have not forgotten my revered godfather’s wishes. He saw clearly whereas I did not, but old eyes see farther than young ones in those things that matter.
I hope your sense of justice and your affection for your esteemed father would not allow my youthful error to blight the rest of my existence, and that you would be willing to present me to the living of Kympton. I am looking forward to receiving the very best of news from the companion of my boyhood years.
Until then I remain,
Your very grateful and affectionate friend,
George Wickham
With an oath, Darcy crumpled the sheet of paper in his hand and cast it disgustedly on his desk.
What sort of unmitigated fool did the rascal take him for, to imagine that he would be swayed by such pious, simpering drivel? He had seen the light and received the calling, had he? Did the scoundrel imagine he had taken leave of his senses, to entrust the people of Kympton to his care?
His care indeed! Wolf in sheep’s clothing. In his utter
“Insolent, headstrong pups,” she affectionately chided. “I will never understand what possessed George Darcy to leave the likes of you in charge of Georgiana’s future.”
The cousins exchanged a glance, in silent understanding of the late Mr Darcy’s motives. He had never warmed to most of his wife’s relations, and had certainly not trusted Lord Malvern to act in Georgiana’s interest. He must have understood that, in his lordship’s eyes, enhancing the family’s status and fortunes took precedence over a young girl’s happiness – or anyone’s for that matter – and the same could be said of his eldest son. As for Lady Malvern, although he had held her in obvious affection, he must have seen the dangers of her too compliant nature. Lady Catherine had naturally been dismissed out of hand, he would never have left his dear girl in her stifling grasp. Which had really left him with only two choices of guardians for Georgiana. Yet Darcy dearly hoped it had not been just a process of elimination.
He was not about to share any such thoughts with Lady Malvern, and apparently neither was Fitzwilliam, who popped a couple of sweetmeats into his mouth, then retorted lightly:
“My uncle must have known that such a sweet-tempered child would turn out well regardless, and not even the pair of us could bungle her upbringing. Now, the dreaded moment is upon us, Darcy. My mother wishes to take Georgiana to the linen-drapers and, dutiful son that I am, I have offered to escort them. Pray show an ounce of cousinly affection and join us, I beg you. Do not abandon me to the deluge of jacquard and lace.”
CHAPTER 3
Dear Darcy,
I hope this finds you in good health and prosperity. I wish I could say the same for myself, but sadly we both know that no one could describe my current circumstances as anything but dire. My health is not much better at the moment either. I fear I have exerted myself overmuch in order to ensure that I honour some very pressing debts. Which brings me to the reason for my writing again. Strangely I have received no reply to my other letters, but perhaps they have gone astray.
I have learned a while ago that poor Mr Hodges had finally relinquished his earthly shell, as well as the living of Kympton. Since we last spoke on this subject life has taught me a very valuable lesson – namely that the study of the law is not only an unprofitable exercise, but also that the profession itself is soul-destroying.
I have understood at last the blessings of the profession your father had chosen for me in his wisdom, and I should have relied on his sterling judgement. I see now that nothing could compare to the satisfaction of guiding simple souls on the righteous path so, as the Kympton living has become vacant, I hope you would entrust it to my care. No one else can lay claim to it, through ties of either honour or affection, and I trust you have not forgotten my revered godfather’s wishes. He saw clearly whereas I did not, but old eyes see farther than young ones in those things that matter.
I hope your sense of justice and your affection for your esteemed father would not allow my youthful error to blight the rest of my existence, and that you would be willing to present me to the living of Kympton. I am looking forward to receiving the very best of news from the companion of my boyhood years.
Until then I remain,
Your very grateful and affectionate friend,
George Wickham
With an oath, Darcy crumpled the sheet of paper in his hand and cast it disgustedly on his desk.
What sort of unmitigated fool did the rascal take him for, to imagine that he would be swayed by such pious, simpering drivel? He had seen the light and received the calling, had he? Did the scoundrel imagine he had taken leave of his senses, to entrust the people of Kympton to his care?
His care indeed! Wolf in sheep’s clothing. In his utter
Readers choose
Kylie Brant
Karin Tabke
Richard Wagamese
Danielle Steel
Gladys Mitchell
Robert N. Thompson
James Patterson
K. Hollan Van Zandt
C. James Jensen
Maisey Yates